Members of the Kentucky Thorough-Breasts “Surviving in Sync” dragon boat racing team attended the Three Rivers District Health Department’s annual awards ceremony where Rep. Tom McKee was on hand to present the team’s non-profit with the pink dragon boat on behalf of Three Rivers.

Rep. McKee also presented the team with a citation from the Kentucky House of Representatives recognizing their accomplishments.

We are now into the fourth day of a brand new year — a time for leaving the past behind and trying something new.

It’s funny, because when Jan. 1 comes around, I’m always ready to re-arrange furniture, try a new diet or just do something I haven’t done before, (nothing too risky, of course). It’s also the month of my birth, so, in a way, I get two new fresh starts.

Last month my husband and I went to Charlotte, N.C., one of our favorite cities.

We stayed uptown — which I would call downtown, but what do I know? — right in the middle of all the tall buildings and skyscrapers.

I have a confession to make. I love buildings. I mean, I love, l-o-v-e buildings, like chocoholics love chocolate and pie-aholics love pie. Well, maybe not that much, but I love architecture and design, Gothic arches and flying buttresses.

All of us at the Carroll County Extension office hope you had a nice holiday. We are looking forward to seeing you back for another year of great programs and activities. Please stop by and check out what the New Year brings.

Did you make any new year’s resolutions to increase or start a physical activity program? Yes, it is easy to make a resolution to improve your physical activity, but sticking with it is the problem.

2012 is officially here, and with it comes new opportunities to gain knowledge through the UK Cooperative Extension Office.

One such opportunity is through the “Carroll County Agri-culture News.” I have developed this Exten-sion newsletter to be delivered on a quarterly basis. The inaugural newsletter is being sent out at this time, and it will include information from the UK Cooperative Extension Service, as well as reminders and announcements for upcoming programs. If you would like to receive my newsletter, please contact the Extension office.

This year, 4-H agents will receive hands-on training at 4-H camps so they can teach youth about the benefits of rain gardens. Rain gardens are landscaping features adapted to provide on-site treatment of stormwater runoff, according to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Residential rain gardens are usually small, “homeowner sized” (averaging 60 to 100 square feet) plots that utilize in-place or native soil. They generally cost $2 to $5 per square feet (without under-drain) and create habitat for wildlife such as birds and butterflies.

New Year’s is a great time to make a fresh start at living a healthy life. However, anyone can start over on any day of the year. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics that we can use to help middle and high school age kids put into practice. As adults, we can be good models by also trying them out ourselves: